Chapter 43

“Are you done?” I asked, my patience wearing thin. I wasn’t in the mood for her nonsense. “If you agree to take your fat daughter out of the mansion, then I’m done,” Bella snapped, her face flushed with anger. I let out a slow, cold laugh that rolled from my chest. “I see. My daughter has nothing to do with you, Mistress Bella,” I said, deliberately stressing her title. “The problem isn’t my girl, it’s the man who doesn’t want you. If he wanted you, you’d be in his arms right now instead of here feeding me lies with a hint of threatening.” She sprang to her feet, fury blazing in her eyes. “You don’t know what I’m capable of, Mrs. Wilfred. So I’ll warn you: if you don’t want your precious daughter to meet with her ancestors in hell, you better take her away from my man.” how dare she threaten to kill my child. I rose to meet her, my voice steady as I looked her straight in the eye. “You and I both know you can do nothing. Waterford is weak compared to Silver Crest. And when you go home, tell Hamilton his old friend Aria sends her regards.” Her shock was obvious; I couldn’t help the small, satisfied smile that spread across my face. “What?” she stammered, her composure faltering. I folded my arms across my chest, eyes locked on her. “Yes. And I can’t believe Emilia’s daughter would stoop this low just to claim a man. You are nothing like her. Perhaps you inherited her beauty, yes—but that’s all.” In a heartbeat, she lunged at me, claws extended. I didn’t flinch. This foolish child had no idea—if I weren’t a woman, I’d have stood among the warriors of my pack. But I let her strike, allowing her to take the bait of a cunning woman. Her claws raked my cheek, sharp enough to draw blood. Slowly, I turned my head back toward her, meeting her frantic breathing with calm disdain. “Don’t you dare speak filth about me,” she hissed, chest heaving. “I am my mother’s daughter, and you’ll respect me just as everyone respected her!” A cruel laugh bubbled from me. “Respect you like they respected Emilia? No, darling. I don’t recall ever respecting her, not even when she was mated to your father. Then one day, he took her to his pack as his mate, and mysteriously… she died.” I leaned forward, my voice dropping like a blade. “But Emilia—she deserved respect. You, however? You’re nothing. In fact, looking at you now, you’re as ugly as a monkey dressed in makeup.” Her eyes flared, and she lifted her hand to strike again. But this time, I caught her wrist midair and shoved it aside. “How dare you!” her guard thundered, stepping forward. Ah, so the dog still stood by. I turned a sharp gaze on him. “Take your mistress and get out of my house.” My tone left no room for argument. Bella’s fury burned hot, her chest rising and falling with ragged breaths. “You will regret this,” she spat before storming toward the door. “Don’t forget your fan,” I called after her, but she ignored me, storming out with her guard at her heels. I pressed a hand against my bleeding cheek and whispered inwardly, Oh Aina, this is a war you’ll have to fight. Become strong, my daughter. Live better than your mother ever could. The time to act is now. Without hesitation, I staggered outside, clutching my face. The black cars were already rolling away, but I screamed for all to hear, “Bella Maxwell came to my home to hurt me!” Tears streamed down as neighbors rushed toward me, gasps and whispers filling the air when they saw the blood dripping down my cheek. “Oh! I knew I’d seen her face somewhere before! What happened?” voices chorused, people crowding around, murmurs spreading like wildfire. “She said she’s in love with my daughter’s mate… a man who doesn’t even love her back!” I wailed, my voice breaking. “And then… she struck me!” Cries of outrage erupted. Some neighbors already had their phones out, recording, snapping pictures. Ah, the lengths I’d go for my child. Soon, the news would spread like fire: Bella Maxwell, the pride of Waterford Pack, slapped Osborne Cliff’s mother-in-law in Silver Crest territory. Osborne I was heading toward my bedroom when my phone suddenly rang. It was Austin, one of my men. I picked up, and his urgent voice came through the line. “Sir, something just happened a moment ago. Have you checked the media?” My brows furrowed in confusion. “No, I haven’t. What’s going on?” “Well…” Austin hesitated before continuing, “I think Bella Maxwell might have caused some chaos at your mate’s home. There’s already a video all over the media—her arriving, leaving, and then Mrs. Wilfred coming out with blood on her cheek.” Before he could finish, anger surged through me. I gripped my phone so hard it snapped in half. This better not be true, Bella shouldn't test me. And damn it, I prayed Aina hadn’t seen it yet. Without wasting another second, I rushed to where she was with my mother. I needed to see for myself. But the moment I stepped into the room, my chest sank. She already had a tablet in her hand. She must have sensed me, but she didn’t even bother to look up at me. My mother’s worried eyes met mine, and that alone told me everything, they had seen it. Then I heard it, the sharp crack of the tablet. Aina had torn the tablet clean in half. Her eyes finally lifted to mine, blazing with fury. “Where is she?” she asked, her voice low but heavy with rage. And in that moment, I knew she was beyond pissed.